MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
May 15, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Alindajao called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1015 – 11th Avenue.
INVOCATION
Pastor David Rivas offered the invocation.
FLAG SALUTE
Police Officer Nino led flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mayor Joe Alindajao, Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Liz Morris, Mario Nunez, Jr., Veronica Vasquez
Council members absent:
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Garcia, City Attorney Richman, Finance Director Lara Rios, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Chief Davis
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
Mayor Alindajao recognized Nueva Vista Language Academy School for receiving the 2022 California Pivotal Practice School Award, for representing California for the National Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C and for being featured in The Wall Street Journal for the virtual field trip to Paris, France..
Mayor Alindajao recognized LaVina Middle School for receiving the 2022 California Pivotal Practice School Award and for qualifying for the 2023 Innovative and Impactful School Award.
Mayor Alindajao presented Proclamation to CAPK for Declaring May as Community Action Month Mayor Alindajao presented Proclamation to Delano Child Car Providers, Declaring May 12, 2023 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.
Mayor Alindajao presented Proclamation to DPOA for Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
Agenda Item No. 3
1. Alonzo asked about the development that is taking place on 11th Steet on the property that was purchased from the City. He asked if the residents would have access to the back of their homes. He mentioned that the homes were built 20 years ago with gates and that permits were issued by Delano. He also asked when the meeting between the City and Cemetery is going to take place.
2. Arnold Morrison shared with the community that the Woollomes Bridge is not the city’s responsibility and thanked the city for making the development there look nice.
3. Claribel Gutierrez congratulated the schools, Police Department, and the city for moving in a positive direction and for putting Delano on the map in a positive way.
4. Fernando Bravo recognized Finance Director Rios for donating roses to the Senior Center. He also mentioned that United States Flag is not displayed inside the center and would like one to be placed indoors of the Senior Center.
5. Lupe Martinez mentioned that he recalls that the city is responsible for the bridge. He said he recalls a bond obtained for the bridge and that the city should have negotiated the bridge with the businesses that were being built in the area.
6. Susan Villaruz said that she understands the need for increase housing, but she would like to see direction given to Planning Commission to have some consideration of the look of the residential neighborhoods. She said that there is a home that has additional apartments and looks ugly and does not fit the current design of the existing home. She also said that staff needs to verify that land surveyors are certified.
7. Jesus Alvarez said he lives on Rancho Fiesta and his property connects with the cemetery. He said the problem is that the cemetery closed the access behind his home and was not notified. He said that he attended the cemetery meeting and was told that the property belonged to the cemetery. He said he has been living there for over 20 years and was never told anything. He also said that they received notices instructing them to clean the alley or that he would be citied, so he always cleaned and maintained the alley and now they are being told that it belongs to the cemetery and is confused with the situation.
8. Anita Cruz said that she appreciated the recognition of Childcare Providers. She asked for support and asked that ARPA funds be used to support childcare providers for staying open during the pandemic.
CONSENT AGENDA
1) Authorization to waive the reading of any ordinance in its entirety and consenting to the reading of such ordinances by title only
2) Warrant Register in the amount of $3,745,370.55
3) Minutes of the regular city council meeting of May 1, 2023 4) Cancellation of regular City Council meeting scheduled for July 3, 2023 5) Adopt resolution Extending the Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program (Resolution 2023-17) 6) Adopt resolution extending the Public Safety & Communications Dispatcher I Hiring Bonus Program (Resolution 2023-18)
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 1-6 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/ Morris/Nunez/ /Alindajao/Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items
REGULAR AGENDA
No items
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No items
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Morris: Said she attended the Bakersfield College Commencement Ceremony and congratulated all the High School students that received their AA before their High School Diploma and wished them much success.
Council Member Vasquez: Said that she attended the Jesse Nieto event at Bakersfield College, Delano Campus, and thinks it is a great event that the city should help promote. She mentioned that they did bus tours to the Delano landmarks and had visitors from throughout the state. She also shared that BC students performed, and the tour guide speakers are local Filipino residents who were part of the movement and was an interesting and enriching event.
Council Member Nunez: Invited everyone to see the city’s website and see all the activities that are coming up like summer camp and that the spray parks will be opening soon. He also shared that the hours have been extended and thanked Rosa and Sumeet for the accomplishments of having the centers open and operating. He also wished his granddaughter Rayleigh a Happy Birthday.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz: He congratulated students that are graduating and excited to see them come back to Delano and make a difference. He shared that he attended National Day of Prayer and A Day Without Childcare Providers. He invited the community to the Delano Animal Shelter Adoption Event that will be held on Saturday, May 20th and all adoption fees will be paid by the City of Delano and also thanked the staff for assisting in putting together the event. He also wished Council Member Morris a Happy Birthday.
Mayor Alindajao: Invited the community to the DPOA Golf Tournament, June 10th. He also shared that he attended the closing ceremony for the Delano Little League. He said that it is a great program and that pre-covid there were up to 3,000 athletes compared to recent count of 300 athletes. He hopes that the numbers grow in the future. He also mentioned that he attended the National Day of Prayer. The Mayor informed the public that the city and cemetery board will be having a meeting and once the date and time is established, the public will be notified. The Mayor also wished all moms a Happy Mother’s day and let the public know that the city is working in collaborating with the school district on youth sports on eliminating gaps in the calendar year so kids can transition from one sport to another.
Moved for Closed Session by: Nunez
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Time: 7:20 PM
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao/Solorio-Ruiz/Morris/Nunez/Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
The City Clerk was excused. City Manager Reyna was appointed as Acting City Clerk. City Manager Reyna, City Engineer Dowling and City Attorney Richman were present.
CLOSED SESSION
7) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Govt. Code Section 54957:
City Manager
No reportable action.
8) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8.
Property: County Line Road & Hwy 99
APN: 410-020-04 & 410-020-05
Agency negotiator: City Manager, City Engineer, and City Attorney Negotiating parties: Owner
Under negotiation: Discussion
No reportable action.
9) LIABILITY CLAIMS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.95 Claimant: Floyd Horn
Claim no. 2023-09
Agency claimed against: City of Delano
No reportable action.
Moved for Opened Session by: Solorio-Ruiz
2nd by: Morris
Time: 8:23 PM
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao/Solorio-Ruiz/Morris/Nunez/Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Nunez seconded by Solorio-Ruiz and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
_____________________________________________
Diana A. Garcia, City Clerk